Baseball

VCU SHUTS OUT LONGWOOD IN MIDWEEK CONTEST WITH THE LANCERS

FARMVILLE, Va. – The VCU Baseball team grabbed a 9-0 victory over Longwood in a midweek contest on the road on Tuesday night.

With the victory, the Rams overall record stands at 20-17, while Longwood drops to 18-17 on the season.

"I thought we pitched the ball fantastic for nine innings," said VCU associate head coach Shawn Stiffler. "Seth Cutler-Voltz set the tempo throwing strikes from the beginning, while the relief pitchers came in on the back side and did a great job. Offensively everyone contributed, with every starter but one getting a hit. We were able to take advantage of some early mistakes by Longwood. "

The Rams got things going off the bat, as junior infielder Jordan Weymouth reached via an error with one out in the top of the first inning. The Paradise Valley, Ariz., native swiped second base successfully and was able to trot all the way to the plate following an errant throw by the catcher into center field.

VCU added to its lead in the top of the third inning, as senior catcher Kyle Sutherland reached safely on an error by the Longwood first baseman. Sutherland advanced to second on a single through the left side by Paul Nice, before taking third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore outfielder Bill Cullen. Weymouth plated Sutherland will a groundout to the second baseman.

The Rams followed suit in the top of the fourth, with sophomore Chris Ayers earning a free pass by a hit-by-pitch and redshirt junior outfielder Taylor Buran roping a single down the third base line to advance Ayers. Freshman infielder Vimael Machin moved the runners up each one base with a sacrifice bunt, before Sutherland plated Ayers with a groundout to the second baseman.

VCU put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth, pushing across six runs in the frame to extend their lead to 9-0. Redshirt junior infielder Brent Mikionis led off with a single through the left side, before Buran drew a one-out hit-by-pitch to put runners on first and second. Machin lifted a single to center field to load the bases. Sutherland delivered a single through the right side, which scored Mikionis and Buran. Nice followed with a single to right field, which scored Machin and put Sutherland on second. Cullen delivered a single to right field, allowing Sutherland to score and put Nice on third. After Cullen stole second to put runners on second and third, Weymouth lined a single up the middle to score the two runners, giving the Rams their sixth run in the frame.

The Rams were paced by Weymouth (pictured right) and Sutherland, who each drove in three RBI.

Cutler-Voltz earned the victory after throwing four innings and allowing four hits. The Rams used four other pitchers the rest of the way and the group did not allow a hit.

VCU will turn its attention back to CAA play, with an upcoming weekend series against William & Mary scheduled for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. First pitch for Friday's game against the Tribe is scheduled for 6 p.m. at The Diamond.

"It is going to be a great series," added Stiffler. "They are pitching the baseball really well, with one of the best pitching staffs in the conference. It is going to be one of those grinding series that may come down to one or two mistakes or pitchers."